The Perfect Soldier: Special Operations, Commandos, and the Future of Us Warfare by James F. Dunnigan
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Shame, Shame, Shame
by Austin Bay
August 12, 2015
Sinaloa cartel drug lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman’s July 11 escape from prison has become another huge political problem for the Mexican government. Authorities discovered a 1.5 kilomter-long long tunnel about ten meters below the high-security Altiplano Federal Prison (near Mexico City) where he was being held. The tunnel stopped directly below a shower stall in his prison hall. Digging the tunnel produced an estimated 380 dump truck loads of dirt and required special equipment. The tunnel even had space for a small motorcycle to help remove debris. All of this feeds public suspicion that someone at the prison had to know about the tunnel and more likely, someone very high up in the government. Media echo public accusations that Guzman’s billions bought off high government officials. In other words, Guzman leveraged systemic corruption. Guzman’s escape has stirred more accusations regarding president Pena’s financial dealings with government contractors. Mexican prisons just can’t hold Guzman, which is one reason after his capture in February 2014 the U.S. wanted to extradite him. Guzman had earlier (2001) broke out of prison in Jalisco state. That prison break involved bribery. For latest escape prison staff are under investigation, but vocal critics think senior government officials should be investigated as well. After El Chapo’s escape, security forces continue to search for him. The search has moved from the immediate vicinity of the prison to surrounding states and western states like Sinaloa and Durango. (Austin Bay)
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